Superfast wireless broadband rollout underway in rural Shropshire

December 29, 2017

Connecting Shropshire and Airband have announced the live launch of the first transmitter site, serving over 300 homes and businesses. The transmitter provides superfast broadband connectivity of 30Mbps to parts of Sheriffhales and Shifnal parishes, and other communities further east, such as Tong.
Airband’s deployment of fixed wireless broadband works by sending a radio signal from a transmitter site to a small receiver attached to the property. A cable is then run into the building allowing the end-user to access the internet in the same way as any other broadband connection.
The project, part of the UK Government’s superfast broadband rollout and supported by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, is boosting coverage in the Shropshire Council area up to 2020 and will provide superfast broadband to over 14,000 homes and businesses across some of the most rural parts of Shropshire, with areas going live incrementally as the rollout continues.
“We are really excited to be announcing the first live site for this important community-based project – it highlights the progress we’re making to help connect rural residents across Shropshire. We’re planning to get several more sites live in the next few weeks and plan to keep up the pace for the duration of the project.” Dave Lloyd, Project Manager at Airband.
Nic Laurens, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for broadband said, “This is a great, positive step forward for the work Shropshire Council is doing to enhance the quality of life for residents across the county. Superfast broadband enables people living, working and visiting Shropshire to benefit from all that a fast, reliable broadband connection can offer, ultimately boosting the prosperity of the economy.”
The project to deliver more superfast connectivity to Shropshire is supported by the Marches LEP, which secured more than £8m of Growth Deal funding specifically to improve access to high speed broadband in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.
Graham Wynn, Chairman of the Marches LEP, said: “It’s great to see this rollout under way in Shropshire, giving people and businesses a chance to experience the benefits of a superfast broadband connection.”
“We know that a lack of connectivity hinders business growth and we’re delighted that the £5.02m of funding via the LEP for Connecting Shropshire is already making a difference to communities in the county.”
To find out if you’re in Airband’s current or planned coverage area, please enter your postcode at: https://home.airband.co.uk/coverage/

Back to top arrow

The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has now ceased trading and transferred all its functions to Shropshire Council working with Telford & Wrekin Council and Herefordshire Council, in line with the UK Government's plans for devolution.

The Marches LEP was established in 2011 and hands over an impressive legacy from its 13-year life. In that time the LEP invested over £196m in projects across the Marches, securing in excess of £100m of match funding and supported more than 66,000 business interactions.

The schemes supported have made tangible differences to local communities, increasing skills, creating jobs and improving the physical appearance of many towns.

We would like to thank all the LEP Board Members who have given their time freely over the life of the LEP, as well as all the staff who worked for the LEP over the years. We also want to thank our delivery partners, local education providers and local, regional and national stakeholders who helped us achieve so much.

The Marches Growth Hub will continue to support businesses and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford and Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Each of the three Local Authorities will also continue to provide direct business support locally. Details of this support will be available through the Marches Growth Hub website and from the Local Authorities directly. Website: www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk | email: enquiries@marchesgrowthhub.co.uk.

The Marches Careers Hub will continue to be delivered and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford & Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Website: www.marchescareershub.co.uk | email: info@marchescareershub.co.uk

For any queries about Getting Building Fund (GBF), Local Growth Fund (LGF) and Marches Investment Fund (MIF) projects supported by the Marches LEP please contact: gary.spence@shropshire.gov.uk

For any finance queries please contact: michelle.hodgkiss@shropshire.gov.uk

The solvent liquidation of the Marches LEP is being managed by the Evelyn Partners Limited. For any matter related to this please contact: Camilla.Mulholland@evelyn.com

Skip to content